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IAP Political Forum > Political Discussions > Europe and Asia > Français/European Electrical Outlets
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Author Topic: Français/European Electrical Outlets  (Read 292 times)
2112$
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« on: November 13, 2007, 05:14:32 AM »
Does anyone know how French electrical outlets or currents differ from other European countries or America? I've been told they run on 220/50 hz whereas American outlets run on 120/60 hz (if they are up to date). I'm also wondering if there is a converter. Any info would be appreciated.
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« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2007, 08:22:01 AM »
Quote from: 2112$ on November 13, 2007, 05:14:32 AM
Does anyone know how French electrical outlets or currents differ from other European countries or America? I've been told they run on 220/50 hz whereas American outlets run on 120/60 hz (if they are up to date). I'm also wondering if there is a converter. Any info would be appreciated.

You are right about voltage and frequency, all Europe has 220V/50Hz. For most appliances (shavers, radios, computers) you don't need a converter, adaptor is OK, mostly it is possible to get them is at the airport. Universal adaptors are an even better option.

Outlets are different in UK, Ireland and Italy, the rest of Europe is more or less compatible.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_AC_power_plugs_and_sockets
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« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2007, 10:40:30 AM »
Just make sure that any appliance you plan to plug haves a dual selector switch (with positions 220/50 and 110/60) and it's switched to the right input. The consequences of pluging a 110/60 appliance to a 220/50 plug are deadly for the appliance...
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« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2007, 10:43:28 AM »
Quote from: Major Zee Lee on November 13, 2007, 10:40:30 AM
Just make sure that any appliance you plan to plug haves a dual selector switch (with positions 220/50 and 110/60) and it's switched to the right input. The consequences of pluging a 110/60 appliance to a 220/50 plug are deadly for the appliance...

A lap top my colleague brought from USA worked without it any switch, just with adaptor. Anyway, best to check the instructions.
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« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2007, 03:45:49 PM »
Thankyou very much!
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« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2007, 12:31:18 PM »
I'm not in Europe,,, u goin 2 wrong place
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« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2007, 11:08:18 AM »
The reason why a laptop is working is that they use a 12v convertor already.
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« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2007, 02:50:15 PM »
w/o the switch or converter you can blow circuit in the building wiring too.

The girls in my study abroad program kept messing up the dorms electrical capabilities by plugging their hairdryers w/ only using an adapter.
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